Author: simon mackenzie

Webinar Recap: Taking the Diamond with Confidence with SportsEngine HQ

by Simon MacKenzie

Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at SportsEngine

November 21, 2024 | 3 minutes, 26 seconds read

This week, we wrapped up our final sports-specific webinar of the year, Taking the Diamond with Confidence, aimed at baseball and softball organizations gearing up for the upcoming season. Packed with actionable tips, best practices, and exciting updates, this webinar offered a comprehensive guide to optimizing SportsEngine HQ and its suite of tools to streamline operations, drive engagement, and enhance the athlete and parent experience. Here’s a quick recap of the key points and takeaways:

What's New at SportsEngine HQ?

We introduced recent innovations designed to make life easier for admins, coaches, and parents. Highlights included:

  1. Financial Management Updates:
    • Flexible Payment Plans: Cancel or credit individual installments, even mid-season.
    • Enhanced Discounting Options: Sibling discounts, early bird rates, and more to streamline registration workflows.
  2. Mobile App Enhancements:
    • Features like stats, standings, and messaging are back and better than ever.
    • Android Availability: The app is now accessible on Google Play for all users.
  3. Platform Integration:
    • Seamless connections between HQ, SportsEngine Play, and Motion.
    • Auto-Sync Scheduling: Changes made in HQ reflect instantly across websites and the mobile app.

Season Management Tools: Your MVP for 2024

The deep dive into Season Management, a transformative upgrade for league and team administration, stood out in the webinar. Features include:

  • Automated Schedule Syncing: Updates propagate across the platform effortlessly.
  • Conflict Checkers: Avoid double bookings and overlapping schedules.
  • Advanced Statistics Management: Track games played, pitch counts, and more to enhance safety and performance.
  • Division & Team Tools:
    • Quick drag-and-drop rostering.
    • Streamlined team admin setup with granular permissions.

Season Management offers an intuitive user experience, reducing admin time while increasing transparency and efficiency.

Technological Accelerators: Making an Impact

SportsEngine Motion

Designed for managing camps, clinics, and training sessions, Motion lets organizations simplify event sign-ups and payment collection. Use cases include:

  • One-on-One Training: Book sessions with specialized coaches.
  • Facility Rentals: Manage bookings for batting cages and practice fields.
  • Group Training with Waitlists: Automatically handle overflow registrations.
  • Point-of-Sale Capabilities: Great for selling extra gear or running concessions.

SportsEngine Play

Live streaming is now a must-have for youth sports. SportsEngine Play allows teams to broadcast games, clip highlights, and share replays with parents, friends, and scouts. Highlights:

Website Optimization Tips

Creating a polished, user-friendly website is crucial for attracting families to your organization. Key tips include:

  1. Clear Call-to-Actions: Highlight important items like registration links on your homepage.
  2. Branding Consistency: Use cohesive colors and fonts for a professional look.
  3. Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your site works seamlessly on all devices.
  4. Simplified Navigation: Make finding schedules, team pages, and upcoming events easy.

Pro Tips for Registration Success

Whether you're new to SportsEngine HQ or a seasoned pro, here are must-know strategies:

  1. Start Early: Build your registration forms as soon as possible.
  2. Utilize Resources: Schedule registration audits with your account manager.
  3. Leverage Conditional Logic: Guide users to the correct options based on age, position, or other criteria, reducing errors.
  4. QR Codes: Generate a QR code for your registration link to simplify sign-ups at in-person events.

Thank You for Attending Our Webinar

We hope you left the webinar feeling confident and ready to tackle the upcoming season. 

For questions or personalized assistance, connect with your SportsEngine account manager or explore our additional resources:

Here’s to an incredible 2024 season! Stay tuned for more insights and updates as we innovate for baseball and softball organizations everywhere.

Are you looking to level up your ball club? Schedule a demo with our team! 

 

Schedule your free demo

Not on SportsEngine, yet? Fill out this form, and one of our experts will show you how we can take your organization to the next level.

 
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Webinar Recap: Three Key Insights from the Hockey & SportsEngine Webinar

by Simon MacKenzie

Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at SportsEngine

July 31, 2024 | 1 minute, 51 seconds read

The recent Hockey and SportsEngine Webinar offered valuable insights into optimizing SportsEngine's platform for hockey organizations. If you missed the live session, here's a concise recap of the key takeaways from the webinar replay above.

Key Takeaways:

🚀 Latest Product Releases: 

The team talked through the latest releases and updates across SportsEngine HQ. Some highlights include big enhancements released to Season Management and the Mobile App, while also sharing some upcoming roadmap items to improve how you manage payment plans and discounts for members. Are you curious about the latest season management releases? Grab your spot for the upcoming webinar on August 13th.

🖥️ Enhanced Website Templates: 

One of the standout features discussed was the new website templates designed specifically for hockey organizations. These templates are visually appealing and mobile-responsive, ensuring your site looks professional and functions smoothly on any device. The templates come with customizable options, allowing organizations to personalize their websites with logos, colors, and essential links, all at no cost​​.

💡 Empowering Community Feedback: 

The SportsEngine team emphasized the value of community feedback in shaping their platform. Based on user input, the latest updates and enhancements, including cross-divisional scheduling and standings, were developed. This iterative approach ensures that the platform continually evolves to meet the needs of its users, making it an invaluable tool for hockey organizations.

Watch the Replay

Watch the full webinar replay for a deeper dive into these topics and more first-line insights. Whether you want to improve your organization's efficiency, enhance your online presence, or stay updated on the latest features, this webinar is a must-watch for all hockey program administrators.

If you want access to the related resources mentioned in the webinar to elevate your hockey operations with SportsEngine, fill out the form below! 

Elevate your hockey operations

If you would like access to the resources mentioned in the webinar, fill out the form below!

 
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Dos and Don’ts for USA Volleyball Club Admins

by Simon MacKenzie

Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at SportsEngine

July 24, 2024 | 0 minutes, 58 seconds read

In this informative video, Simon from SportsEngine and Daniel from USA Volleyball provide a comprehensive guide for volleyball club administrators, focusing on best practices for managing memberships, rosters, and team assignments in SportsEngine HQ. 

Dive in as they outline the three key "don’ts" to help admins avoid common pitfalls: don’t guess when beginning membership processes (use the recommended resources), don’t use the "add person" button in the member directory to prevent duplicate profiles, and don’t build rosters until memberships are confirmed to avoid rework. These steps ensure smooth operations and save time for club admins throughout the season.

Schedule your free demo

Not on SportsEngine, yet? Fill out this form, and one of our experts will show you how we can take your organization to the next level.

 
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Webinar Recap: Boosting your Volleyball programs and participation with SportsEngine

by Simon MacKenzie

Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at SportsEngine

June 25, 2024 | 2 minutes, 31 seconds read

Our Volleyball and SportsEngine tech experts, Simon and Brooke, hosted the "Volleyball & SportsEngine" webinar to discuss new product developments across SportsEngine, best practices for the upcoming season, and additional resources with USA Volleyball.

Leveraging SportsEngine for Enhanced Club Management

Simon MacKenzie and Brooke Hauser outlined the latest updates across SportsEngine HQ and how they will boost the management of an efficient volleyball club and members' experience. Key highlights include new features like the MySE household update, which simplifies managing player profiles and permissions, and the upcoming enhancements to Season Management functionality, such as schedule import and automated team pages. These tools are designed to streamline administrative tasks, ensuring club admins can focus more on delivering an excellent experience for players and parents.

Embracing Flexibility with SportsEngine Motion

The webinar highlighted the versatility and benefits of SportsEngine Motion, a class and instruction-based software that some early-adopting volleyball clubs have used effectively. SportsEngine Motion simplifies the management of camps, clinics, private lessons, and recurring programs by allowing coaches to set up recurring private instruction times or book facilities, create quick and straightforward signups, and process automated recurring payments in one place. This tool reduces administrative overhead and allows clubs to offer various programs. The positive feedback from clubs using SportsEngine Motion underscores its effectiveness in enhancing the club experience and simplifying operations.

Utilizing Video and Streaming for Engagement

Video and streaming capabilities through SportsEngine Play were showcased as powerful tools for enhancing engagement within the volleyball community. Clubs like Niagara Frontier Volleyball Club have successfully utilized SportsEngine Play to stream over 1000 games in 5 months, making events accessible to remote family members and fans. The integration with AES allows seamless streaming of tournaments, and the ability to use any camera, including mobile phones, makes this feature highly adaptable. These innovations provide clubs with new ways to connect with their communities and enhance the overall experience for players and spectators.

Overall Summary

The SportsEngine webinar provided valuable insights into the latest features and best practices for volleyball clubs. By leveraging these tools and resources, clubs can simplify operations, improve communication, promote a culture centered around player safety, and enhance engagement through SportsEngine’s digital products. A big thank you to our fantastic user community for their feedback, which ensures that SportsEngine remains responsive to its community's needs and drives innovation and improvement on the platform.

If you want access to the related resources mentioned in the webinar to elevate your volleyball operations with SportsEngine, fill out the form below! 

Schedule your free demo

Not on SportsEngine, yet? Fill out this form, and one of our experts will show you how we can take your organization to the next level.

 
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575 Volleyball Leverages SportsEngine to Multiply Locations, Increase Revenue 10X, and Expand Programs

by Simon MacKenzie

Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at SportsEngine

May 23, 2024 | 5 minutes, 38 seconds read

At a Glance 

575 Volleyball Club began with one location in 2017 and has used SportsEngine Motion, HQ, and AES for its website, team communication, and all administrative tasks from the get-go. It has grown to five locations and multiplied its revenue by a factor of 10. Now, president and co-founder Jeff Black helps other volleyball clubs leverage SportsEngine to grow and expand their programs to bring more volleyball opportunities to players nationwide.

Technology toolsChallenge: Become a regionally and nationally recognized volleyball program and help other volleyball programs create efficiency and growth.
Technology leaderSolution: Leverage three products in the SportsEngine family—Motion, HQ and AES
Live stream capabilitesResults: Grew 575 Volleyball to over 2,000 athletes across all programming. Achieved revenue growth from $464,000 to $5 million in seven years. Launched consulting business in 2024 to assist additional volleyball program development with SportsEngine setup

 

Intro:

575 Volleyball Club is a full-service volleyball club that serves players from the first time they step on the court all the way until they graduate high school. It has five locations around Atlanta and serves over 2,000 athletes of all levels.

Challenge:

When Jeff Black started 575 Volleyball Club in 2017, he had big dreams of growing his volleyball club into a nationally recognized organization. He also knew he wanted to partner with SportsEngine from the beginning.

With the biggest support and account management team in the industry, plus a solution for all sorts of sports programming, SportsEngine was the one-stop-shop solution when Black launched his club. “We thought SportsEngine was the best provider in the space we were going to,” said Black. “They are a huge national brand, and they have access to people and resources that most small businesses and smaller software providers don’t have.”

575 Volleyball had a successful first year, leveraging the power of SportsEngine to simplify signups and payment processes for players. As it grew, it began expanding the services it offered to its volleyball players. Now, its services encompass five areas including club teams, mini club, individual training, tournaments, and camps. It uses Sports Engine’s Motion, HQ, and AES for all aspects of club management.

575 Volleyball has expanded to five locations and also acquired North Georgia Volleyball, took over its SportsEngine account, and added SportsEngine Motion to further simplify registrations and team management.

As 575 Volleyball has continued increasing revenue and adding players and staff, Black recognized the opportunity to help other clubs leverage SportsEngine to see similar growth.

“The goal of every volleyball club, or any sport organization, is to create opportunities for kids to play,” said Black. “But most people don’t have the tools or resources to actually scale their business and serve their model of providing opportunities for players to play.”
 

“The biggest advantage of SportsEngine, from my perspective, is that they are partners with USA Volleyball. It makes sense for parents and admins not to have to register with multiple software providers, and that partnership is fantastic.” 
- Jeff Black, President and Co-Founder

Solution:

575 Volleyball Club Launches Consultancy Powered by SportsEngine

Black’s experience with SportsEngine inspired him to innovate and create new methods to help other volleyball clubs experience the same growth as 575 Volleyball Club. In April 2024, Black launched Club Volleyball Consultants to continue developing relationships with other clubs. He helps teams implement his training model, develop training programs, and maximize the value of their websites, but has one requirement for his clients: they must use SportsEngine.

“SportsEngine is much better than anything else, especially when HQ is paired with Motion,” said Black. “It makes that process seamless for the customer signing up for tryouts and then getting transitioned onto a roster. And then on the backend for the admin, they’re not then redoing what they did in the other software in USA Volleyball, because SportsEngine is their chosen partner.”

Team communication is easy with SportsEngine HQ and Motion. Coaches and staff can easily send messages through email or push notifications through the app. The app communicates with parents, giving them one place to see the time and location for every game, coaching session, or practice—even if they have children on several different teams.

The SportsEngine websites' plug-and-play format makes it easy for Black to help other clubs set up their websites. Even more importantly, it’s easy for both staff members and parents to learn and use.

Denise Corrigan, Club Administrator for 575 Volleyball, recognizes the importance of supporting the behind-the-scenes administrators. “You won’t see me on the court, but I try to take everything off the coach’s plate and let them coach,” said Corrigan. She works behind the scenes collecting dues, registering for tournaments, and setting up rosters, all with the aid of SportsEngine. “The fiscal management of SportsEngine is great for me because I do many collections on finances. I can send invoices and registrations. It also works well for the parents.”
 

“The financial management and program registration are the two biggest things I use on the back end of SportsEngine, and I can’t imagine going back to any other way.” - Denise Corrigan, Administrator

Conclusion:

Tremendous Growth for 575 Volleyball Results in 10x Revenue in 7 Years Working with SportsEngine

575 Volleyball has seen enormous growth since it first began. In 2018, its first full year, it saw revenue of $464,000. In March of 2024 it implemented a new training program and expects to see $40,000 recurring monthly revenue from that alone. For 2024, its total projected revenue is an astounding $5 million.

As 575 Volleyball continues growth, Corrigan and Black plan to keep working with SportsEngine. “We believe SportsEngine is the best way to do things,” said Corrigan.

“I’m a huge advocate for how the SportsEngine websites function and the simplicity of it,” said Black. “As Denise and I grow our staff, it’s easy to train other people.”

And while 575 Volleyball is focusing on growing its own program, Black and his team at Club Volleyball Consultants are also working to better help other clubs start and grow their programs. So far, Club Volleyball Consultants has begun consulting for four clubs, with more in the works.

“Really the direction we’re trying to go, and where we see our purpose in serving the bigger youth sports community, is through consulting people on how to set their SportsEngine website up for success,” said Black. 

Simon MacKenzie

About Simon MacKenzie

Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at SportsEngine

Simon MacKenzie is a Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at NBC Sport Next. His work is focused on keeping the customer's voice at the center of the evolving SportsEngine platform and is also the co-host of the For the Love of Sport podcast, celebrating the stories and people who make youth sports happen. 

Simon is a lifelong athlete in many different sports (from swimming, golf, and basketball to playing collegiate soccer, tennis, and lacrosse). You can find him cheering on the Minnesota Vikings, playing with his dogs, or absent-mindedly practicing his golf swing when not in the office. 

Connect with Simon MacKenzie

Schedule your free demo

Not on SportsEngine, yet? Fill out this form, and one of our experts will show you how we can take your organization to the next level.

 
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Webinar Recap: Elevating Soccer Operations with SportsEngine

by Simon MacKenzie

Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at SportsEngine

May 8, 2024 | 1 minute, 8 seconds read

Our soccer and tech experts, Simon and Tori, hosted the "Soccer & SportsEngine" webinar to share valuable insights on enhancing soccer operations and improving the athlete experience using the versatile tools of the SportsEngine platform.

Exclusive Insights and Resources

The webinar provided a deep dive into the latest and upcoming SportsEngine feature releases designed to simplify communications and increase participation. These updates are essential for anyone leveraging SportsEngine to power their soccer club's operations and improve efficiency.

Attendees for the webinar received an exclusive video guide demonstrating how to streamline the tryout-to-registration process, ensuring a seamless transition for accepted players through automatic registration links.

Innovating with SportsEngine Motion

The webinar also featured a club director from International FC, who gave a firsthand account of how SportsEngine Motion has enhanced its tournament, showcase, camp, and clinic operations. This innovative tool offers features such as auto-billing, recurring payment scheduling, and automated waitlists that can significantly impact different soccer organizational needs.

Discovering your Stream-Ability Score

In addition, Simon and Tori spoke about how the youth soccer landscape is transforming with live streaming and how SportsEngine Play can be another tool in club administrators' arsenal to put a broadcast antenna on their programs.

If you would like access to the related resources mentioned in the webinar to elevate your soccer operations with SportsEngine, fill out the form below! 

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SportsEngine Motion | Quick Tour

by simon-mackenzie

April 5, 2024 | 0 minutes, 49 seconds read

Welcome to Sports Engine Motion, an all inclusive software made for studio, swim, gym, and other class instruction-based organizations to operate their business in a one stop shop.

In this quick video we take a look into some of the many powerful features of the SportsEngine Motion platform. 

To get a personalized tour of how SportsEngine Motion can help you, please reach out or schedule a demo with a sports engine motion expert today.

Schedule your free demo

Not on SportsEngine, yet? Fill out this form, and one of our experts will show you how we can take your organization to the next level.

 
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5 Ways Technology Can Solve Sport Facility Management Challenges

by Simon MacKenzie

Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at SportsEngine

March 19, 2024 | 2 minutes, 54 seconds read

Facility owners and operators constantly navigate various challenges, aiming to streamline operations while ensuring a top-notch experience for athletes and patrons. Here are five ways in which the right technology can significantly impact sports facilities' day-to-day operations, enhance the overall experience for participants, level up clubs or leagues, and set yourself up for long-term growth.

 

1. Streamlined Scheduling and Booking

Scheduling and booking are central to the smooth operation of any sports facility. Modern technology offers advanced software solutions that streamline these processes, allowing real-time scheduling, online bookings, and automated notifications. This eliminates double bookings, maximizes facility usage, and keeps everyone involved informed and organized.

2. Everything in One Place

Managing a facility while running a club or league can be overwhelming. However, the right technology platform can simplify the process by allowing you to manage your facility’s schedule, roster teams, stay on top of financial reporting, and track attendance for different events all from one login. This can save you money by eliminating the need for outdated tools, reducing the time spent on manual entry, and keeping your participants informed with the latest information.

3. Enhanced Communication Channels

Keeping open lines of communication with teams, athletes, parents, and staff is vital. Digital platforms enhance this communication through various tools, including mass emails, SMS alerts, and dedicated mobile apps. These technologies ensure that everyone is up-to-date with the latest schedules, changes, and announcements, fostering a well-informed community around your facility.

4. Mobile and Contactless Solutions

The adoption of mobile and contactless technologies addresses the growing demand for convenience and safety. From mobile app bookings and virtual memberships to QR code access and digital waivers, these solutions offer users a seamless, modern experience. They cater to health and safety concerns and represent a shift towards more efficient, user-friendly service delivery.

5. Trusted software partner with valued experience

Fortunately, many sport facility management software solutions are available to help you efficiently manage your community facility. When selecting a software partner to help with this, consider their history, experience, and understanding of your unique needs.

For over 15 years, SportsEngine has been at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge technology solutions tailored for the youth sports industry. As a trusted partner, SportsEngine provides comprehensive tools and platforms that address the unique needs of sports facility management. From scheduling and communication to registration and marketing, SportsEngine's ecosystem of solutions empowers facility owners and operators to overcome challenges and achieve operational excellence. By choosing SportsEngine, you're partnering with a leader dedicated to the success and growth of youth sports.

Conclusion

Integrating technology into sports facility management brings many benefits, from operational efficiencies to enhanced user experiences. Facilities can significantly elevate their service offerings by embracing streamlined scheduling, efficient maintenance, improved communication, and mobile convenience. With SportsEngine as your technology partner, tapping into our industry leadership allows your facility to navigate the complexities of youth sports management with confidence and ease. Embrace the future of sports facility management with technology and unlock the full potential of your operations.

Simon MacKenzie

About Simon MacKenzie

Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at SportsEngine

Simon MacKenzie is a Sr. Manager, Product Marketing at NBC Sport Next. His work is focused on keeping the customer's voice at the center of the evolving SportsEngine platform and is also the co-host of the For the Love of Sport podcast, celebrating the stories and people who make youth sports happen. 

Simon is a lifelong athlete in many different sports (from swimming, golf, and basketball to playing collegiate soccer, tennis, and lacrosse). You can find him cheering on the Minnesota Vikings, playing with his dogs, or absent-mindedly practicing his golf swing when not in the office. 

Connect with Simon MacKenzie

Schedule your free demo

Not on SportsEngine, yet? Fill out this form, and one of our experts will show you how we can take your organization to the next level.

 
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SportsEngine Motion makes it easy for you to access information and simple for families to pay bills, sign up for programs, receive messages, and more.

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Collect and export measurements for all styles of costumes and uniforms.

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Your desk, on the go

Need to relay a message or forgot to send out a batch of invoices after heading home? The SportsEngine Motion app has you covered, putting your entire organisation in the palm of your hand with built-in messaging and billing capabilities.

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SportsEngine Motion is a great value, as I don't need to pay for additional features like communication tools (text) and Mobile App like I did with Jackrabbit." 

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Dayton Academy of Dance

This app is truly a one-stop shop! Allows me to fully run this operation effectively! Awesome communication app also!" 

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